Former Terang man a pathological liar, court told in murder trial

Dec. 16, 2014, 10 a.m.

THE former Terang man who murdered his partner of 16 years, well-known interior designer Stuart Rattle, was a pathological liar known as "The Talented Mr Ripley", a court has heard.

Michael O'Neill, left, and Stuart Rattle.

THE former Terang man who murdered his partner of 16 years, well-known interiordesigner Stuart Rattle, was a pathological liar known as "The TalentedMr Ripley", a court has heard.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Gavin Silbert, SC, told the Supreme Court onMonday that Michael O'Neill strangled Mr Rattle as an "act offinancial self preservation".

Mr Silbert said O'Neill was trying to cover up for his incompetence,which had been threatening to bankrupt the interior designer'sbusiness.

O'Neill, 48, had told "a cock and bull story" to police for morethan five hours after his arrest before confessing to having killed MrRattle on December 4 last year at the couple's South Yarra apartmentand setting fire to the property four days later to try to cover upthe murder.

O'Neill admitted having taken a saucepan from the kitchen at about 6amand striking Mr Rattle, 53, over the head before wrapping a nylon doglead around his neck.

Mr Rattle begged for his life as he was being strangled.

O'Neill has pleaded guilty to one count of murder and one count of arson.

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Former Terang man a pathological liar, court told in murder trial